newkerala.com - brings you latest news, info & entertainment

Wanted militant leader surrenders in Tripura

Agartala, Jan 11 IANS | 2 years ago

Pasaram Tripura, a dreaded militant leader who was involved in kidnappings and killings, has surrendered to the Tripura Police, an officer said here Saturday.

According to the police, Tripura alias T. Thomas, a top leader of the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militant group, sneaked into India along with his wife and three children from Myanmar through Bangladesh two days ago before surrendering to Tripura Director General of Police C. Balasubramanian Friday night.

Tripura, 51, was wanted as he was the self-styled army chief of the NLFT and was involved in number of militant activities in Tripura.

The police had earlier declared a reward of Rs.1 lakh to anyone who could give information about his whereabouts. The central government also issued a red corner notice against him.

"Senior police and intelligence officials are now interrogating the Pakistan and Bangladesh-trained NLFT leader to get details about the militants' shelter and operation of camps in Bangladesh, Myanmar and other neighbouring countries," a police spokesman told reporters.

"Misappropriation of funds and other issues are troubling the NLFT leadership that compelled him to return to the mainstream of life," the police spokesman said, quoting the surrendered rebel.

"Tripura, NLFT leader since 1994, was coordinating among the northeast militant outfits regarding arms supply, procurement of money and training," he added.

The home ministry banned the NLFT and another extremist outfit, All Tripura Tiger Force, April 3, 1997.

According to police and the Border Security Force officials, the two outfits have set up camps in Bangladesh along with others and receive support from separatist groups of the region.

They have been seeking secession of Tripura from India.

Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh, some of it unfenced and running through dense forests, making it porous and vulnerable.